What is Bushwalking? Bushwalking is an Australian activity. You may also know it by a different name such as hiking, tramping, hill walking, rambling or trekking. Bushwalking covers a wide spectrum of walking experiences in natural or green areas of the world. A bushwalk might be a walk along a trail through urban parks or forests near where you live.
Why Bushwalk in Australia? Australia is fortunate to have many large national parks which preserve scenic and rugged areas in their natural states. Even the largest city, Sydney, is surrounded by huge areas of national park.
What to take Bushwalking? Since the weather can change rapidly, protection from rain and cold is essential, even though the walk may have started in glorious sun shine and a clear blue sky’s it could end in heavy rain and thunderstorms or vies versa.
Equipment for a day walk:
Backpack: to carry your belongings Water: Avoid dehydration Food: high energy to keep you going Personal medication: (eg Ventolin) Personal first aid kit: If something unexpected happens Rain coat with hood: In case it rains and to keep yourself dry and prevent yourself getting sick. Warm jumper with hand warming pockets: Keeping warm is important, avoiding hyperthermia Gloves: To keep your hands warm Scarf: To keep your neck warm Hat: Protection from sun and rain Watch: (not your best could get scratched/ destroyed) Sunscreen: prevention of sun burn Insect repellent: Protects you from being bitten by bugs Medicare card: (in case of accident) Maps and compass: so you know where you are going and don’t get lost Emergency contact numbers
If also staying for the night add this to the list:
Sleeping bag Sleeping mat Torch and spare batteries Water proof matches Personal hygiene items (Eg. Toothbrush, mirror, comb, tissues, toilet paper)
Optional items:
Communications (radio or mobile phone) Camera Binoculars Swimming costume Small hand towel Closed cell foam mat to sit on Sun glasses lollies and snacks High energy snack bars Plastic shopping bag to carry out any rubbish.
Who can Bush walk? The good thing about Bushwalking is that everybody can do it. You can go with your family, with friends, as a couple or even by yourself but it could get a bit boring if you went alone. If you decide to Bush walk alone you should have a plan where you are going ahead of time, and let someome responsible that you can trust know the details. Children can also come along on this activity. Their are also many places that are suitable for the disabled.
Good times of the year to go Bushwalking: The best time of the year to go Bushwalking in Australia is spring when the weather is a bit unpredictable and the flowers are out and blossoming but if you are someone who doesn't really like spring and blossoming flowers another good time to go is autumn, autumn is in between summer and winter making the days just right but no flowers of course as it is autumn.
Why Bush walk? Bushwalking is a fun, low impact way to be active. The benefits for the mind & body are obvious, good exercise, good to get out of the house and the great thing is, bush walking is accessible for most people.
Good Australian Bushwalking locations: . Wilsons Promontory . Kakadu National Park . The Blue Mountains . Queensland Rain Forest . South West of Western Australia . Most of Tasmania
How long are you going for? An early consideration in your trip plan is how much time you have to go walking. Most trail times in Australia are based on steady walking of 2-3 km per hour and DO NOT allow for breaks. Know the distance you are intending to walk before starting, remember to plan for breaks, view stops and lunch. Use trail notes as a guide only
Injured? Occasionally, things do go wrong and people may get hurt. Making good decisions in these situations will limit the severity of the situation. 1. Stop, and think 2. Don't panic 3. Appoint a person to administer first aid 4. Appoint a person to take notes/reassure 5. Ensure first aid is administered calmly and in a reassuring manner 6. Establish if the injured member will need assistance or evacuation 7. Think about where you are and what you are to do before you call in the emergency services 8. Call emergency services 9. If necessary, Send out 2 competent people, with details of incident, casualty & location for help. Ensure they are carrying minimum safety gear themselves 10. Stay calm, look after yourself and fellow bushwalkers. Follow emergency services
Lost? Okay, so you have gotten yourself lost…. Don't panic! There are things you can do. 1. Stop, don't go getting more lost! (yes, it can be done) 2. Don't panic 3. Begin working out where you are 4. Do not split up 5. Go to a high point with your map, compass and mobile phone (if service is available) and endeavor to recognize features 6. Can you retrace your steps? This could be a way to return to a recognizable place 7. Think about what you are going to do before you call in the emergency services 8. If still completely lost, your task changes to surviving until you are found. Help your rescuers by staying together, building shelter and conserving energy 9. Create a signalling system with a torch, mirror or by maintaining a small fire (NOT a bush fire!). But make sure its only after contacting emergency services 10. Use your whistle to signal for help…3 blasts for the victim, one for the rescue
Environmental Considerations: All people enjoying wild places carry the responsibility of keeping these places as you find them for the next person and for generations to come. With the ever growing number of people visiting these areas, it is more important than ever to respect the bush and endeavor to leave the place better than you found it.
Bushwalking is an Australian activity. You may also know it by a different name such as hiking, tramping, hill walking, rambling or trekking. Bushwalking covers a wide spectrum of walking experiences in natural or green areas of the world. A bushwalk might be a walk along a trail through urban parks or forests near where you live.
Why Bushwalk in Australia?
Australia is fortunate to have many large national parks which preserve scenic and rugged areas in their natural states. Even the largest city, Sydney, is surrounded by huge areas of national park.
What to take Bushwalking?
Since the weather can change rapidly, protection from rain and cold is essential, even though the walk may have started in glorious sun shine and a clear blue sky’s it could end in heavy rain and thunderstorms or vies versa.
Equipment for a day walk:
Backpack: to carry your belongingsWater: Avoid dehydration
Food: high energy to keep you going
Personal medication: (eg Ventolin)
Personal first aid kit: If something unexpected happens
Rain coat with hood: In case it rains and to keep yourself dry and prevent yourself getting sick.
Warm jumper with hand warming pockets: Keeping warm is important, avoiding hyperthermia
Gloves: To keep your hands warm
Scarf: To keep your neck warm
Hat: Protection from sun and rain
Watch: (not your best could get scratched/ destroyed)
Sunscreen: prevention of sun burn
Insect repellent: Protects you from being bitten by bugs
Medicare card: (in case of accident)
Maps and compass: so you know where you are going and don’t get lost
Emergency contact numbers
If also staying for the night add this to the list:
Sleeping bag
Sleeping mat
Torch and spare batteries
Water proof matches
Personal hygiene items (Eg. Toothbrush, mirror, comb, tissues, toilet paper)
Optional items:
Communications (radio or mobile phone)
Camera
Binoculars
Swimming costume
Small hand towel
Closed cell foam mat to sit on
Sun glasses
lollies and snacks
High energy snack bars
Plastic shopping bag to carry out any rubbish.
Who can Bush walk?
The good thing about Bushwalking is that everybody can do it. You can go with your family, with friends, as a couple or even by yourself but it could get a bit boring if you went alone. If you decide to Bush walk alone you should have a plan where you are going ahead of time, and let someome responsible that you can trust know the details. Children can also come along on this activity. Their are also many places that are suitable for the disabled.
Good times of the year to go Bushwalking:
The best time of the year to go Bushwalking in Australia is spring when the weather is a bit unpredictable and the flowers are out and blossoming but if you are someone who doesn't really like spring and blossoming flowers another good time to go is autumn, autumn is in between summer and winter making the days just right but no flowers of course as it is autumn.
Why Bush walk?
Bushwalking is a fun, low impact way to be active. The benefits for the mind & body are obvious, good exercise, good to get out of the house and the great thing is, bush walking is accessible for most people.
Good Australian Bushwalking locations:
. Wilsons Promontory
. Kakadu National Park
. The Blue Mountains
. Queensland Rain Forest
. South West of Western Australia
. Most of Tasmania
How long are you going for?
An early consideration in your trip plan is how much time you have to go walking.
Most trail times in Australia are based on steady walking of 2-3 km per hour and DO
NOT allow for breaks. Know the distance you are intending to walk before starting, remember to plan for breaks, view stops and lunch. Use trail notes as a guide only
Injured?
Occasionally, things do go wrong and people may get hurt. Making good decisions in
these situations will limit the severity of the situation.
1. Stop, and think
2. Don't panic
3. Appoint a person to administer first aid
4. Appoint a person to take notes/reassure
5. Ensure first aid is administered calmly and in a reassuring manner
6. Establish if the injured member will need assistance or evacuation
7. Think about where you are and what you are to do before you call in the
emergency services
8. Call emergency services
9. If necessary, Send out 2 competent people, with details of incident, casualty &
location for help. Ensure they are carrying minimum safety gear themselves
10. Stay calm, look after yourself and fellow bushwalkers. Follow emergency services
Lost?
Okay, so you have gotten yourself lost…. Don't panic! There are things you can do.
1. Stop, don't go getting more lost! (yes, it can be done)
2. Don't panic
3. Begin working out where you are
4. Do not split up
5. Go to a high point with your map, compass and mobile phone (if service is available)
and endeavor to recognize features
6. Can you retrace your steps? This could be a way to return to a recognizable place
7. Think about what you are going to do before you call in the emergency services
8. If still completely lost, your task changes to surviving until you are found. Help your
rescuers by staying together, building shelter and conserving energy
9. Create a signalling system with a torch, mirror or by maintaining a small fire
(NOT a bush fire!). But make sure its only after contacting emergency services
10. Use your whistle to signal for help…3 blasts for the victim, one for the rescue
Environmental Considerations:
All people enjoying wild places carry the responsibility of keeping these places as you find
them for the next person and for generations to come. With the ever growing number of
people visiting these areas, it is more important than ever to respect the bush and endeavor
to leave the place better than you found it.
Bibliography:
http://www.diamondspirit.net/adunk/whatisbw.html
http://www.bushwalking.org.au/equip.html
http://maps.google.com.au/maps?hl=en&tab=wl
http://www.bushwalkingleadership.org.au/Home/images/better_bushwalking.pdf
By Kylie Mariee Johnston 10Y
Sandringham College, Beaumaris Campus
Year 10 Outdoor Education